By Kathryn Suddendorf, Emry Health client
I was diagnosed with Stage 4S Neuroblastoma when I was just three weeks old. My parents had struggled to have children, and after years of waiting, I was their miracle baby. Then, just three weeks after my birth, doctors found a tumor the size of a lemon in my abdomen. I had surgery immediately, followed by eight rounds of chemotherapy. With only a 40% chance of survival, my doctors sought advice from experts across the country. Against all odds, after six months of treatment, I was declared cancer-free.
Surviving cancer at such a young age has shaped who I am. I’ve dedicated my life to giving back, working with childhood cancer charities, and raising money for cancer research. I want to show fellow survivors that having cancer doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams.
That’s why, when I was hit with an unexpected $8,900 hospital bill, it felt overwhelming. I had been going to the same hospital for years for my ongoing care, but suddenly, my insurance denied the claim due to my age. They mistakenly classified my treatment as pediatric care and incorrectly stated that I had received immunizations, when in fact, I had undergone a cardiology exam related to my childhood cancer.
That’s when Emry stepped in. They took the time to investigate the issue, contacted both my insurance company and the hospital, and worked through the complex process of correcting the claim. When the hospital ultimately determined that they couldn’t file a new claim due to timely filing limits, they instead reduced my balance to $0.
I cannot express how grateful I am to Emry Health for lifting this weight off my shoulders. Medical debt is an immense burden, especially for young professionals just starting out, and having a team that understands the system and fights on your behalf is invaluable. I’m so thankful for everything they’ve done to help me—I will never forget it.
